McCain, Obama to meet on immigration Tuesday

Republican Sen. John McCain, from Arizona, pauses during a press conference in Mexico City, Friday, Feb. 22, 2013. McCain says he is guardedly optimistic about producing an immigration reform proposal that includes a path to legalization for illegal immigrants but significant disagreement remains between President Obama and a group of lawmakers drafting a bill. (AP Photo/Alexandre Meneghini)

MEXICO CITY (AP) -- U.S. Sen. John McCain said Friday that he and other lawmakers working on an immigration overhaul will meet with President Barack Obama on Tuesday to discuss the issue.

McCain, a member of a bipartisan group of eight senators working on a bill, said there is still significant disagreement with the president, but he is optimistic about producing legislation that includes a path to legalization for illegal immigrants.

"The president of the United States has supported our efforts. In fact we will be meeting with the president on Tuesday," he said during a visit to Mexico.

McCain did not say how many senators would attend the meeting.

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McCain told reporters after meeting with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto that many details must be worked out between Obama and senators trying to produce legislation.

Asked about the prospects for reaching a deal, he said: "I am guardedly optimistic that we could by the end of the next month. There's still a number of agreements that need to be made before I can assure you that we will have a resolution."

McCain said he envisions immigration legislation including a way for illegal migrants to obtain legal status; a process for agricultural and low-skilled laborers to go to work in the United States; a provision for highly educated workers to remain in the U.S.; better identification cards for migrants; punishment for businesses that hire illegal migrants; greater use of advanced technology to prevent illicit border crossings and a special path for migrants brought to the U.S. as children.

"On some of those we have specific agreement, in other areas we agree in principle, but we have not resolved the details," he said. "We are making progress, but we are still not at a point where we can say we will succeed."

McCain also said that former Sen. Chuck Hagel had been weakened by his battle to be confirmed as defense secretary, but McCain said he and Senate colleagues could work with Hagel at the Pentagon. Hagel is expected to be confirmed Tuesday after fierce attacks from fellow Republicans including McCain.

"I think he will have been weakened, but having said that, the job that he has is too important," McCain said. "I know that I and my other colleagues, if he's confirmed, and he very likely will be, will do everything we can to work with him."

Turning to Mexico, McCain said Pena Nieto had reassured him that Mexico would continue to battle drug cartels while reassessing the country law-enforcement strategy.

The Mexican administration that took office Dec. 1 has, at least in its public rhetoric, emphasized social programs and economic growth as the answer to drug crime, a change from the previous government's focus on a militarized offensive against cartels. That has provoked concern in Washington about a reduction in anti-drug cooperation with Mexico.

"I have no doubt about his commitment," McCain said of Pena Nieto. "I think he feels that policies and practices of the previous administration need to be examined."

McCain said the Mexican president had emphasized the need to reinforce Mexico's southern border with Guatemala, a new emphasis in a relationship that has focused heavily on the U.S.-Mexican border.

The Mexican government said Pena Nieto "emphasized the necessity and the benefits of diversifying the agenda and the dialogue between Mexico and the United States," to focus on economic issues including the automotive industry and educational, scientific and technological cooperation.

Pena Nieto's government is in the midst of an international and domestic public relations campaign to undercut Mexico's association with drug crime and promote its relatively strong economic growth, driven partly by foreign investment in manufacturing plants here.